A14212:56
A collection of certain learned discourses, written by that famous man of memory Zechariah…A collection of certaine learned discourses, written by that famous man of memory Zachary…
A collection of certain learned discourses, written by that famous man of memory Zachary Ursine; doctor and professor of divinity in the noble and flourishing schools of Neustad. For explication of divers difficult points, laid down by that author in his catechism. Lately put in print in Latin by the last labour of D. David Parry: and now newly translated into English, by I.H. for the benefit and behoof of our Christian country-manA collection of certaine learned discourses, written by that famous man of memory Zachary Ursine; doctor and professor of divinitie in the noble and flourishing schools of Neustad. For explication of divers difficult points, laide downe by that author in his catechisme. Lately put in print in Latin by the last labour of D. David Parry: and now newlie translated into English, by I.H. for the benefit and behoofe of our Christian country-man
Oxford: printed by Joseph Barnes, 1600Oxford: printed by Ioseph Barnes, 1600
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
O then that the greater part of our Prelates would ascend unto these breaches, and draw a counter-mure and sense before the house of Israel, & not like subtle foxes seek to fat•e themselves with the spoils, & public scandals of the church, as Ezekiel complained of the prophets of his time. It hath bin ever a great plague unto the church to make sale of the word of G•d or wrest it to the affections of men, to the lust & favour of the mighty, to pride and vain glory, to covetousness and luxury. But much more pernicious is that plague which at this day with applause of the multitude consumeth the very bowels of the church, namely the decay of ecclesiastical judgment: whereas in the mean time through ambition, avarice, envy, & desire of attempting any thing, as every one is of face most brazen, of tongue most intemperate, so much the rather he affecteth, & by favour of the multitude obtaineth the most eminent places of dignity in the church. Hence proceed those infortunate broils between governors of the church, who for the most part studying strife not quietness, & plotting quarrel upon quarrel, labour by all means possible that ecclesiastical controversies (by which they study to advance themselves ⟨p. 35⟩to a rich and glorious estate) may never come to the lawful hearing, debating or quieting. Hence also have proceeded so many pestilent & pernicious writings never spiced with any spirit of mildness & charity, but seasoned with the unsavoury salt of unulence & malice, & tainted with the poisoned s•inges of harefull slanders, wherewith (for sooth) at this day Divinity is thought to be beautified, and our doctrine of holiness shall be presented unto posterity. This is the head of the mischief;1 which that it may the better be conceived I speak of two sorts of writings now published.
O then that the greater part of our Prelates would ascend vnto these breaches, and draw a counter-mure and sence before the house of Israel, & not lyke subtile foxes secke to fat•e themselues with the spoiles, & publique scandales of the church, as Ezechiel complained of the prophets of his time. It hath bin euer a great plague vnto the church to make sale of the word of Gd or wrest it to the affections of men, to the lust & fauour of the mighty, to pride and vaine glory, to couetousnesse and luxurie. But much more perniciouse is that plague which at this day with applause of the multitude consumeth the very bowelles of the church, namely the decay of ecclesiasticall iudgment: whereas in the meane time through ambition, auarice, enuy, & desire of attempting any thing, as euery one is of face most brazē, of tongue most intēperate, so much the rather he affecteth, & by fauour of the multitude obteineth the most eminent places of dignity in the church. Hence proceede those infortunate broils betweene gouerners of the church, who for the most part studying strife not quietnesse, & plotting quarrell vpon quarrell, labour by all meanes possible that ecclesiasticall controverfies (by which they study to advance themselues